The Toronto Maple Leafs are free-falling, sitting in last place in the Atlantic Division and second last in the Eastern Conference. They get outplayed almost every night, and even when they do play well, they usually lose.
Naturally, most of their players have been disappointing. You don’t become a bottom-feeder with multiple standouts, and the Leafs roster has not played up to par this year. But that doesn’t mean everyone has been bad, as there have been a few bright spots throughout the organization as well.
Since it’s Christmas, we thought it would be fun to decide who on the Leafs is on the nice list, and who will be getting coal in their stocking. So without further ado, let’s get into it.
The nice list
Easton Cowan
The first member of the nice list is Easton Cowan. Coming into the season, it was assumed Cowan would get most of a full season in the AHL with the Marlies playing top-line minutes. Not many prospects go straight from junior to the NHL, especially guys who don’t go top five in their drafts.
But Cowan has been great. Stats-wise, he’s scored four goals and 11 points in 26 games. He’s a key contributor in the lacklustre forward group with as many points as Nic Roy and Matias Maccelli. It took a while for him to get his first goal, but he has looked like a capable NHL scorer since Game 1.
Cowan is clearly ready for the NHL and has proven many people wrong this year. While he might not be an instant top-six contributor, he will be one day. What he’s shown so far is fantastic for a late first-round pick in his first pro season. He’s easily on the nice list.
Dennis Hildeby
The next member of the nice list is another young surprise. Dennis Hildeby started the year as the Leafs third goalie, clearly an AHLer behind Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll. Thrust into action due to injury, Hidelby has proved himself a capable NHLer, just like Cowan.
In 13 appearances, Hildeby is rocking a .911 save percentage and is saving over 0.5 goals above expected per 60 minutes according to MoneyPuck. He’s been the real deal, and the eye test matches the stats. His massive stature eliminates the bottom of the net, and his movement is really solid for a guy his size.
The Leafs could be even worse if it weren’t for Hildeby. He’s won them a couple of games by himself, something not many third options can say.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson
When the Leafs signed OEL to a four-year deal, I had my doubts. Four years is a long time for an aging defenceman, and after just one good season in Florida, it was a pretty big risk signing him.
But OEL has been the Leafs best defenceman this year, no questions asked. He’s already scored six goals, most on the team from a defenceman, and is on pace for 52 points over an 82-game season.
He’s an easy addition to the nice list, as he’s been the only pleasant surprise on the blueline. If the Leafs could take advantage of his momentum and get a nice package for him at the deadline, even better.
The naughty list
Auston Matthews
Auston Matthews’ struggles have been very well documented. He’s gone from a franchise-level superstar to a mediocre middle-six centre, and is having by far the worst season of his career.
Matthews has scored 23 points in 31 games. He’s making the second most money of anyone in the league. His performance has been horrific, and there’s really no light at the end of the tunnel at this point. No one knows for sure what’s going on, and without that clarity, it’s hard to say if he can turn it around.
If Toronto wants to go anywhere, they need their captain. And right now, he’s just not getting it done. Matthews is getting a ton of coal in his stocking.
Morgan Rielly
You would think a defenceman with 24 points in 35 games would be pretty good, right? Well, in the case of Morgan Rielly, you’d be wrong.
Yes, Rielly puts up points. Yes, he’s a good skater. But his defensive woes this season have been atrocious, and his play is dragging down whoever he plays with. He’s a -8 overall and is a massive liability defending on the rush, especially. He seems to be pulling a puck out of his own end every night
It’s really hard to watch, honestly, because Rielly is a Leaf legend. He’s a great person and represents the blue and white perfectly, but his play has been rough. I still think there’s room for him to figure things out, but at this rate, he’s not getting any presents.
Max Domi
Ah, Max Domi. The son of a legend, a player with more #passion than anyone on the roster.
Unfortunately, he’s just not good. At all. Domi is on really thin ice at this point, as Craig Berube is figuring out he should be a scratch more often than not. He’s only scored four goals so far, and for someone as dreadful as he is defensively, that’s just not going to cut it.
Domi is rocking a nice -12 rating and is consistently the worst player on the ice. It would be great if Brad Treliving could find a way to get rid of his contract, but I’d be surprised if anyone took it on. I want to love Domi, but his game is simply not good enough. Coal for you, Max.
